Historiale of Cassino

(Cassino, Lazio)

Credits: Comune di Cassino

Where are we?

We are at the Historiale of Cassino

This multimedia museum tells the story of the battle that took place around Cassino, on the Gustav Line, in the spring of 1944, during which the famous Benedictine Abbey was destroyed.

The Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino is situated on a hill about 130 kilometres south-east of Rome, and, owing to its location, became the strategic hub of the Gustav Line. The Wehrmacht’s fortified defence reached across, south of Rome, to prevent the Allies from advancing towards the capital.

On 17^th January 1944, Allied forces launched their first attack on the hill. On 15^th February, the Abbey was bombed and completely destroyed. Despite the intense fighting, the Allies would not succeed in breaking through the ‘Gustav Line’ until after the fourth assault on 12^th May 1944, clearing their advance northwards. On 4^th June 1944, Rome was liberated.

The Historiale Museum opened on the 60^th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino and is dedicated to the events of 1943-1944, the soldiers of the various nationalities involved, and the suffering endured by the civilian population along the Gustav Line. In and around Cassino, military cemeteries of various nations hold the graves of thousands of fallen soldiers and continue to welcome visitors.

Photo: Monte Cassino. Credits: Federico Patellani © Archivio Federico Patellani – Regione Lombardia / Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea, Milano-Cinisello Balsamo

USEFUL INFORMATION

Facility or museum: yes

Website: www.comune.cassino.fr.it

Geographic location: Cassino (FR), Lazio